The collision happened around 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 268 and Whitaker Road west of Pilot Mountain. The 35-year-old woman was first taken to Northern Hospital of Surry County and transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after her condition was downgraded, said John Shelton, director of Surry County Emergency Services.

The woman had walked back to her driveway when she re-entered the road to tell something to the bus driver, said troopers, who are investigating the crash.

The woman was sideswiped by an oncoming car, which had sped up after the bus stop arm retracted, troopers said. The car wasn't previously stopped at the bus stop.

The investigation continues. The bus had eight children on board and was heading to Shoals Elementary School.